Hello!
I'm Ms. Heikes and I have been the Media Center Director at Prairie Junior High since 2013. Before becoming a PJH Hawk, my very first teaching job was as a fourth grade teacher in Glenwood, Illinois from 2000-2002. I spent the next eleven years working as a fifth grade teacher, sixth grade teacher, and Media Center Director for first-sixth graders in New Lenox. I'm so glad that I took a chance at the junior high level and moved to Alsip SD 126!
In addition to my job as a Media Center Director, I am also a mom to Mark and Johanna (Jo). They keep me pretty busy and really tired! Both Mark and Jo are involved in travel basketball, school volleyball, school basketball, and golf. We have two cats, Rosie and Luna. Rosie "aka Rosie Toesie" (she used to bite our toes as a kitten) is a little crazy and kind of naughty. Luna "aka Looney Tooney" is very shy but is completely obsessed with me. When it is time for bed, she is very "purr"sistant and not leave me alone until she has my undivided attention. When I'm not running around with my kids, I have gotten fairly good at keeping my outdoor plants alive and take pride in various home improvement projects.
Educational Background:
- Chicago State University, Chicago MS Library Media Science, 2009
- Walden University, Minnesota MS Education Integration, 2005
- University of Illinois, Chicago BA Elementary Education, 2000
Certifications:
- State of Illinois Certification Type 10 Library Media Specialist K-12
- State of Illinois Endorsement Technology Specialist 5-12
- State of Illinois Certification Type 03 K-9
- State of Illinois Endorsement in Language Arts K-9
- State of Illinois Middle School Endorsement 5-8